Oh help, please!

My MIL has had him for the week while we were away and has been staying at the seaside with him. Today, while she was sitting admiring the view, he was pottering about (off the lead) and the next thing she knew, he was was being pulled off a chiwawa(?sp). By the time my MIL got there, apparently, he had approached the little dog (who was on the lead) and had a go at it. Then got it in his mouth (he's a patterdale) and had to be forcably removed. The little dog is in intensive care with a punctured lung. Oh god!!!!

He's such a well mannered little dog and very happy and approachable. They have had a lovely week playing with lots of other dogs this week and all has been fine. I feel so sorry for my MIL having to deal with it all but am really worried that we will have to pay for the vets bills and we are totally skint!! Bloody hell!!!

Sorry for the long post - no DH here as he's now driven to seaside to get our dog back :-(

Yes we have insurance and will look at that and you're right Littlefish, I feel bad for the people with the Chihuhua too... It must have been really horrid.

No idea about the state of the little thing - didn't sound great TBH when MIL spoke to DH earlier. We also don't have the owner's number to call them, they only have my DH's number so we are waiting for them to call. Terrible situation all round.

But really your MIL has been completely irresponsible allowing him off lead without proper supervision and allowing him to approach, let alone attack, an on lead dog. All dogs should be under proper supervision and control off lead, especially a game working terrier. I would be grovelling in apology to the owners of the other dog.

oh my god that poor little Chihuahua. exactly how far had your dog "pottered" before you MIL arrived on the scene? Long enough for your dog to have had a go at the other dog twice and been pulled off it?

Yes, you're right, he should have been on the lead but the fact is that he wasn't and there's nothing I can do about that now... he's not a working terrier by any means - has never dug/ragged/chased anything down and is a wonderful pet.

She did, indeed, apologise profusely and we all feel terrible for the other owners.

I just can't believe it. He's never been agressive to other dogs before. Gutted

It could just be a one off, but if it were my dog I'd take him to the vet to make sure there was no underlying medical problem (unlikely since you said hes had a great week and behaved impeccably) and if that didn't show anything up I take him out on lead and see how he behaves then. I would probably look into consulting an experienced behaviourist. I might even go so far as to muzzle him on walks if he's to be off lead - if he had to be prised off the other dog, that was a serious attack and I would take it seriously (not saying you wont!)

I should have been clearer - I wasn't suggesting he'd been worked. I have a Patterdale mix who has never been worked and is a fab pet too, but generally speaking their breed tendency is to be alert and game rather than a laid back dog that can be left to potter.

You're right Saint, will take him to vet for a check over. Will also speak to DH about getting a muzzle. I can't imagine how the other couple must be feeling but I totally don't want this to happen again.

I don't mean to make your worries worse, but don't be surprised if you get reported ,if I were the other owner ,irrespective of the outcome I would want to ensure that something appropriate was done about the offending dog . By which I mean an actual enforcement of a muzzle and being kept on a lead. If I were you I would contact the insurance company as soon as poss and seek their advice on how to proceed.

A little update - the other dog is fine, a puncture wound and bruising but at least nothing more than that thank goodness! Bit of a shock for all concerned but especially them! Big vet bill to be settled which we are trying to do through our insurance but have also asked MIL to look at hers. Feels a bit wrong though as she was looking after him as a favour.

Anyway, let's see what happens as we are totally skint! Thank goodness owners seem reasonable and although they have reported it to the police it doesn't seem it will need to go any further! Phew. Muzzle for our mutt purchased and watching him closely!